So, let's see. What do I do when I'm trying to avoid whatever needs to be done?
- Surf the Internet. Obviously. I mean, this is so obvious that I hardly need to state it. Really, what were Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, NYTimes.com, Google Reader, and so many others even INVENTED for? But there are occasionally times when I feel like I've reached The End of the Internet, and that's what the rest of the items in this list are for. Luckily I went to college before wireless internet was commonplace, so when finals time came, I would take my computer away from my room and ethernet cable. It was the only way I could get stuff done.
- Clean. Seriously, in college, the only time my dorm room was ever clean was when I had a big paper due. I would live in squalor all semester, and then suddenly when it came time to buckle down and get to work, I suddenly Could Not Take It One. More. Second. And would clean the room from top to bottom. Except the closet. That pretty much stayed messy year-round. Nowadays, our house is much cleaner and more organized, but still, there's always a dishwasher to unload or a dresser drawer to organize in a pinch.
- Catch up on my correspondence. Nothing makes me remember un-returned emails like a looming deadline or unpleasant task. I don't care if a friend has been waiting a month for a response--if I don't answer them THAT SECOND, it means the end of the friendship. So OF COURSE it's worth delaying something else to prevent that from happening. Right?
- Brush the dog, or similar. I don't exactly brush her every day, but if there's a task I have to take care of? Well, suddenly I can't STAND the shedding and have to deal with it, right then. Or, if she doesn't need a brushing, maybe she needs a quick wrestle on the floor, or a tug-of-war session in the yard. Or just lots of petting and tummy-scratching.
- Run errands. Something tedious to be done at home? Maybe some weeding that needs to be done, or the bathroom needs a good scrubbing? Never fear... I'm sure there's SOMETHING you need to pick up at the store. Better head over there right now in case they run out!
Lol, all of the above. You're absolutely right about the "end of the internet", there are days when I think I've looked at it all and still have 3 hours left to kill.
ReplyDeleteAs an adult, I find that I don't need to be doing something else, necessarily, to put off doing something I'm supposed to be doing. If I don't want to go through my mail, I pile it on the hallway table and watch TV, eat dinner, read and do whatever else I want to do. I just ignore it. Sad.
ReplyDeleteIf I am not just ignoring it like Nilsa does, I call my mother. She is usually good for at least a half hour of chit chat.
ReplyDeleteHmm when I was in college and procrastinating I did all of the above, especially cleaning or playing on the internet. Also? Working out. I was never in such good shape as when finals time came around. I justified it the same way that I justified cleaning--I was being productive about something, even if it wasn't what was most urgent. Now I tend to organize or clean stuff that maybe doesn't even need cleaning (I should sort my clothes by COLOR!) in order to put off doing something else. Ah, procrastination.
ReplyDeleteWhen I procrasinate, I do all the things you listed, but the thing I do the most is read. I read old papers I wrote, I read books that have nothing to do with what I'm doing, I read anything. I also watch TV. I used to go for constant smoke breaks when I smoked. Now I go get McDonald's Coke.
ReplyDeleteI mostly clean when I'm upset or mad, so not much cleaning gets done.
All of the above for me! My favorite is cleaning because it can be masked as something super-productive and important.
ReplyDeleteI also like to invent errands for myself, as in: "OH! My friends have a baby due in 6 months, better go shop for some cards and presents. Or make a food list to take!"
I am a MASTER procrastinator.
That's pretty much the same list I'd have! Especially surfing the Internet (yes to finding 'the end of the internet', I've had that feeling!), and cleaning. My GAWD do I ever go on a cleaning kick when I have a deadline!
ReplyDeleteread your blog :P
ReplyDeletethat is all that i've been doing this week. i've had a final to study for and i've done everything i could to pretend that i don't. however, i do think that with the holidays approaching, the decorating thing is a FINE example of what could be done.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog! Thanks for the reminder I should be getting back to work.
ReplyDeleteI sleep. If I have stuff to do, I'm all of a sudden overcome with the urgent need to take a nap.
ReplyDeleteI blame the mono I had 3 years ago... lol
All of the above, of course...also, baking! Seriously, there is something soothing about revisiting recipes I've made a gazillion times, especially when I have something I'd rather not do staring me in the face.
ReplyDeleteAll of the above but cleaning especially. My kitchen frickin' SPARKLES when I have a big content assignment due.
ReplyDeleteI also re-take-up home cooking and become very interested in creating a varied menu for the next couple of weeks and buying the ingredients, etc. We are never so well fed as when I'm avoiding something.
Mostly the Internet, but also baking or cooking. But, mostly the Internet. ;)
ReplyDeleteThere's an end to the Internet? I've yet to reach it...
ReplyDeletePlay on the Internet for sure! Also, sometimes I just take a nap when I feel like I want to avoid something like clean house.
ReplyDeleteChill in my Snuggie.
ReplyDeleteI fold laundry a lot, cause it's something that I otherwise put off, so there's always a few things needing folded or put away.
ReplyDeleteOr I totally just escape. I love realizing we're out of milk or eggs or something right when I'm facing a sucky task.
Surfing the net is my biggest procrastination. I start opening windows and getting distracted. It's a seriously problem.
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm so old that the "internet" was barely around when I was in college. And my boyfriend (now husband) was always on, so I never had a chance to get on it, anyway! I had to procrastinate the old-fashioned way--by reading.
ReplyDeleteReading is still my favorite procrastinating pastime. And it got so bad for a while there that I actually had to DO something about it and PUT AWAY THE BOOKS. So...now, I KNIT! Ha, ha! I can procrastinate and yet have PART of my mind open to the questions/pestering of my adorable children!
I don't do too, too much on the internet. Basically, my husband has most of the FUN stuff BLOCKED (like Facebook--and half the blogs I used to surf when I used to work!), and once I check the super-short lists of jobs on all the job sites and check my emails and read the blogs I CAN read (thank goodness, I can still read yours!), then I have nothing else to do...BUT KNIT! Ha, ha!